Preeminence

Have you ever been in a Bible Study class where a verse just hits you in your heart? Our Bible Study class has been in the Epistles of John. We were in III John where John is writing to beloved Gaius. He commends him for his generosity and then speaks of Diotrephes “who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us.” John goes on to speak of other traits of Diotrephes which are not a testimony to the Lord.

That word “preeminence” stuck with me as I left that lesson.  The dictionary defines preeminence as “eminent, above or before others, outstanding”.  Our society values preeminence in all areas of life.  We are encouraged to be better or put ourselves above others in our workplace, in our community and even in our churches.

I began to look at the preeminence in my life.  What if John was writing a letter to beloved Gaius and was including a comment about me?  Would he say “Verlene, who loves to have the preeminence among them”?  The answer would have to be yes.  The Lord has been working to show me areas of my life where I desire to be better than others or outstanding in some area of my life.  How hard it is to be honest about this.

When I want a new dress, or a better job or a home remodel, what is that I am wanting?  Is it that I want to be above others?  Is it that I want to be outstanding?  Sure it is! 

I had shopped at Belks on Saturday before this lesson and had found several great sale items.  Things I loved and knew I would enjoy.  The Lord burdened my heart about those purchases and I knew I had to return them.  It was not that I could not afford them; it was the desire in my heart to have them that was wrong.  On Monday, I returned everything.

The bottom line of preeminence is pride.  God hates pride but loves me.  The next Sunday our teacher taught a lesson on (you guessed it) pride.  He showed us numerous scriptures on how God hates pride. The Lord used this one word “preeminence” to call my attention to an area that needs attention in my life. 

Would John need to speak about any preeminence in your life?  Are there places where pride resides in your heart?  Would  John speak of you as he did of beloved Gaius in   III John 3, “For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth.”   Let it be so.

Proverbs 16:18

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling”.

I John 2:16-17

“For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.  And the world is passing away and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever”.